Packard Forum Index » General

I recently purchased a 1942 Packard 160 7 passenger sedan. The top section over the passenger's compartment has complete sunroof with a professional appearing leather cover. The story that explained the car was as follows: The car was used by an early governor in the state of Idaho. The title transfer indicates that the car was owned by the state of Idaho and was used in parades, and special occasions. my questions and concerns are as follows: Is this a factory option? Are there other Packards with this option? If it is an aftermarket installation would it be better to return the roof top to its original condition?
I'm an old car nut, but this is my first adventure with a Packard.1942 Packard 160
Bob

Sounds like something custom, no such body style was cataloged by Packard. Perhaps a custom vehicle sanctioned by Packard or perhaps something done later. A very significant clue would be the vehicle number on the patent plate tag on the cowl just forward of the driver's windshield. If it started with 2004, 2005 or 2055 it was sold by Packard as a chassis and delivered to a coachbuilder for completion. If it begins with a 15XX it was modified from a factory body. Have you looked in the usual places for the coachbuilder's tag? What's the wheelbase, 127" or 148"?

Pictures, please!

I live in the mountains of Utah and the snow level this year is almost 6 feet high around my garage. I'm currently sitting in a trailer in San Diego, California plying like a snowbird. Your questions will give me a good starting point to look for when I return home in a couple of days. I probably should have waited before I started asking questions, but I'm intrigued with the car and have the time to research.
Bob

Anxious to hear more, it does indeed sound intriguing! Could be a one-off.

Here's a link to a 1941, and it looks exactly how you describe your '42. It is a completely stock body, with exception to the top sheet metal being cut out in the middle, and a canvas top snapped into place. Very rudimentary customization, in my opinion. If the history of the car is documented, I would keep it the way it is. I would not spend a ton of money restoring it with the hole in the roof if you don't have any documentation.

My opinion is that it was a car customized for sight-seeing in the mountains.

azcarsandtrucks.com/1941packardbl.html

G'day Bob Wadman,
to PackardInfo, as has been said, an interesting Packard. I invite you to include your '42 160 7 Passenger Sedan in the Packard Owner's Registry.

Two more pics of the car, West mentioned above.



source: byownernetworks.com

Attach file:

---

  (73.00 KB)


  (55.42 KB)

Hi

"My opinion is that it was a car customized for sight-seeing in the mountains."

I'd second that idea, lwb cars were frequently used by National Park tour companies and nearby hotels to offer tourist sightseeing livery from open-topped vehicles to enjoy the view. A tell-tale whether the car in question was in that service would be if its fitted with more durable seat covers to withstand the rigors of that use.

Steve

Many tour companies that did National Parks opted for extended wheelbases, like these Smokey Mountain Tour Packards, photo courtesy of Steve Bryson who has been studying these vehicles intensively. Even more unique were the ones with tandem rear axles, again photo courtesy of Steve.

See this on the PAC site:packardclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=3435

Regarding the car West posted about, is there any definitive documentation that this was a "Presidential" car? I guess that could mean a President once rode in it; it's not on the list of White House Packards compiled by the Smithsonian.

Attach file:

---

  (55.49 KB)


  (35.88 KB)

Regarding presidential (lower case "p") use of the 1941: I doubt it.

Another thought came to mind regarding the linked 1941 and the OP's 1942. The "Manhattan Project" Packard limousine has the same type of top, so ... maybe it came from Los Alamos???